TOBACCO DEAL IN CONGRESS DESERVES QUICK ATTENTION

The tobacco deal in Congress isn't dead yet. Its lungs are choked with
black carcinogens. It isn't breathing very well. But fortunately, political
will has the power to revive this historic legislation. Congressional
members have no choice but to put the life back into this tobacco deal for
the sake of children.

In a recent telephone conference, Secretary of Social and Health Services
Donna Shalala said she is convinced this session will end with a
successful, comprehensive package that reduces the power of Big Tobacco.
This legislation is unique because it's easy for the common voter to
understand, it's supported by people from all colors of the political
spectrum, and it's good for the country's health. The only thing lawmakers
against the proposals have going for them is the money lining their pockets
from tobacco companies.

That shouldn't be enough to stave off the will of the people.

Attorneys general from across the country, including Washington's Christine
Gregoire, achieved the landmark success of brokering a deal with all the
major tobacco companies. The AGs' plan hinges upon congressional approval.

In the early stages, many congressional members introduced bills that
punish tobacco companies even more than the AG's original deal. President
Clinton, not to be outdone, proposed his own package of comprehensive
anti-tobacco laws. It looked like a deal stronger than the attorneys' plan
was on the horizon.

Then politics happened.

Tobacco lobbyists are working overtime to protect their precious products.
The tobacco punishing bills are waning.

Now, it looks like a tobacco deal is far from passage. But Secretary
Shalala has hope. She describes the legislative process as a poker game,
not a game of hearts. Things fall apart and then they come back together
again. Voters ought to make sure Shalala's words stand and Congress doesn't
leave this session without historic tobacco legislation.

President Clinton has announced five crucial elements that must be the
framework for a comprehensive tobacco deal. The intent is to assure fewer
children get addicted to tobacco; the FDA as full regulatory jurisdiction
over the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco; tobacco companies
will never repeat their secretive, despicable acts of denying the
addictivness of tobacco and luring young smokers; anti-smoking efforts will
be prevalent in the U.S. as well as foreign countries; tobacco farmers will
receive job retraining and tobacco farming communities will benefit from
economic development projects.

Vice President Al Gore recently announced that an increase of $1.10 a
cigarette pack over five years will cut teenage smoking by an average of 42
percent nationwide. The price increase would also be accompanied by
stricter laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors and a ban on tobacco
advertising geared toward young people. With those provisions in place,
experts say Washington state will see a 33 to 36 percent reduction in youth
smoking and premature deaths.

That's a lot of kids Congress can save. It's time Congress steps out from
the smoke and mirrors and passes a meaningful, strict package of tobacco
legislation that ends this pitiful era where tobacco reigns.